‘More brutality’ was Australia wing Marika Koroibete’s summation of what was needed to beat the All Blacks in Thursday’s Lipovitan B Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup Test in Melbourne.
Australia wants to pour on the pressure to cause more pain for the New Zealanders after their problems in 2022. Despite those problems, they are one point ahead on the points table after each of the four combatants have had two wins and two losses in the competition.
The key to beating New Zealand was more brutality, Koroibete, who will be playing his 50th Test, told rugby.com.au.
“Just contest on the ruck. Everyone across the park needs to bring that physicality, dominate the tackle and test their ruck.
“Just bring aggression on Thursday…That’s what the South Africans and Argies [Argentina] did to them when they won. That’s what we need to bring.”
New Zealand’s last outing reversed their first game loss by taking a 53-3 win, while Australia lost 8-24 to South Africa.
“We have to be our best. We need to bring our A-game.
“Everyone has to be on each other at training so, by the time we get on the field, we’re performing at that level,” he said.
Australia has rejigged its squad with Kurtley Beale back after recovering from an injury. Changes are likely in the five-eighths after Hunter Paisami and Noah Lolesio suffered concussions in their last outing against South Africa.
That could see veteran five-eighths Bernard Foley return for the first time since 2019.
The side will be without lock Rory Arnold who is leaving to play rugby in Japan. His absence will be relieved with the return of Caderyn Neville from a knee injury suffered during the July Tests with England.
Coach Dave Rennie said: “Kurtley is a welcome return to the squad after recovering from a long-term injury and will bring his passion for the jersey along with his wealth of experience at Test level.
“We know how important these next two Tests are with silverware on the line, and we’ll be expecting a response after the disappointment of last weekend’s loss.”
